Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos and members of the Senate Republican Conference, including Senator Maziarz were joined today by leaders of statewide business organizations to urge Governor Cuomo to remove the proposed extension of the utility tax surcharge from his Executive Budget. The 18-a surcharge, which has increased utility bills for every ratepayer in the state, is scheduled to expire on March 31, 2014.

"First I want to again thank the constituents of the 62nd District for allowing me the opportunity to serve them again this year in the New York State Senate. Last year, under the leadership of the Senate Majority and of Governor Andrew Cuomo, we accomplished a great deal, including an early budget, enacted property tax caps and reduced tax rates on the middle class. While last year was a success, there is still a great deal to be done to keep this State moving in the right direction.

Senate Standing Committee on Energy and TelecommunicationsChair: Senator George D. MaziarzSponsors: Senator William Larkin and Senator David CarlucciPublic Hearing: To determine and analyze the Champlain Hudson Power Express and its impact on the residents of the Town of Stony PointPlace: Stony Point Community Center, 5 Clubhouse Lane, Stony Point, New YorkTime: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.Contact: Matt Nelligan (518) 455-2024Media Contact: Kate Alexander (518) 455-2024ORAL TESTIMONY BY INVITATION ONLY

At a press conference this morning, Senator George Maziarz (R-C, Newfane) joined fellow State Senators, union members, power generators and business groups in order to draw attention to the negative impacts of a proposed underwater transmission line from Canada and announce legislation prohibiting the use of eminent domain by an electric corporation (or affiliate) that seeks to build a transmission line that originates outside of the United States to an ending point within the United States.